Cosmetic applicator

ABSTRACT

A cosmetic applicator for applying a cosmetic or care product includes an applicator head constructed from a thermal storage material. The applicator head is retained at a distal end of a stem. The applicator head comprises an applying member at a distal portion of the applicator head. The applying member includes at least one side face and an end face, and a longitudinal feed channel is disposed within the applying member. A distal end of the longitudinal feed channel opens to the end face of the applying body and defines an opening at the end face.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of and priority to IndianPatent Application Serial Number 201711038344, filed on Oct. 29, 2017,the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a cosmeticapplicator for applying a flowable cosmetic or pharmaceutical product,in particular a liquid, viscous or semi-viscous liquid, an emulsion, agel or a suspension, to a surface, in particular to a biologicalsurface, for example skin or keratinous materials of the human body.More particularly, the present disclosure generally relates to acosmetic applicator formed from a thermal storage material and includingat least one feed channel.

BACKGROUND

Cosmetic applicators such as dip or wand applicators are known in thecosmetic industry. Cosmetic packages often include such applicators fordispensing a particular cosmetic contained in the package reservoir. Thecosmetic applicator generally includes a stem with a cap at one end andan applicator head in the form of a brush, spatula or other applicatorstructure suitable for applying a cosmetic or a care product includingviscous cosmetics, mascara, eye liner, lip gloss, hair color, woundcare, skin care, under eye cosmetics, pharmaceutical and like products.

One such applicator is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,085 for applyingand transporting a quantity of cosmetic product to a user's skin. Theapplicator comprises a generally cylindrical elastomeric tip with a longaxis, the tip including a distal end portion having a distal extremitywith at least one material-holding concavity formed therein, and saidconcavity having a rim.

Another U.S. Pat. No. 7,481,591 discloses an applicator comprising a rodand an application surface formed of a plurality of cones. These coneshave a certain elasticity and movability and can therefore massage thecosmetic product, which is stored between the plurality of cones.

While such applicators are generally satisfactory, there still exists aneed for a cosmetic applicator for applying a satisfactory amount of acosmetic product to a biological surface and is able to provide atreatment, therapy, and/or sensation during use.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provideda cosmetic package comprising a cosmetic applicator for applying aproduct including a cosmetic or a care product. The cosmetic or careproduct includes viscous cosmetics, such as mascara, eyebrow stain, lipgloss, hair color, skin care, under eye cosmetics, pharmaceutical andlike products.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the applicatorcomprises an applicator head retained at a distal end of a stem forapplying the product; and a cap at a proximal end of the stem.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the cosmetic packagecomprises a receptacle configured to contain the product and thecosmetic applicator. The applicator head is configured to be insertedinto the receptacle so as to become loaded with the product andtransport the product onto a surface where the product needs to beapplied.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a wiper is insertedinto a neck of the receptacle for wiping off excess product from thecosmetic applicator while the cosmetic applicator is being removed fromthe receptacle.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the cap of thecosmetic applicator has threads which can be screwed onto threads formedon the neck of the receptacle.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the distalend of the stem includes an interior longitudinal cavity for receivingand retaining the applicator head.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, theapplicator head is constructed, at least partially, from a thermalstorage material that is capable of retaining heat or cold forapplication. The thermal storage material may comprise, for example, ametal, ceramic, glass, stone, alloy and/or other material with arelatively high thermal storage capacity and/or thermal conductivity.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, theapplicator head has a body comprising a proximal portion and a distalportion. The proximal end portion of the applicator head is formed asshank which is configured to be received and retained within alongitudinal cavity of the stem in a mating relationship. The distalportion of the applicator head is formed as an applying member that isused for applying the cosmetic product to a target biological surface.The applying member of the applicator head further includes at least oneside face and an end face.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the applying member of theapplicator head further includes at least one curved side face and anend face. The applying member of the applicator head further includes acurved applicator tip with the end face disposed at a given non-zeroangle relative to a central longitudinal axis of the applicator head.More specifically, the end face of the applicator head is inclined withrespect to a central longitudinal axis of the applicator head. In thisembodiment, that angle is approximately 45 degrees but in alternateembodiments the end face may be at any other angle with respect to thecentral longitudinal axis of the applicator head. The presence of aninclined end face enables the applicator head to be used with differentcontact areas. In particular, the product can be applied more quicklywhile restricting the number of applications. It will be appreciatedthat the angle of the end face may vary within the scope of theinvention depending on, for instance, the type of cosmetic material tobe applied, the goals of the manufacturer and user, and other factors.As an example, a steeper angle will provide a greater surface area andwill consequently permit the retention of more cosmetic product. Theinclined end face of the applicator head may also be slightly concavelyor convexly curved.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, theapplicator head comprises a longitudinal feed channel disposed withinthe applicator head. A distal end of the longitudinal feed channel opensto the end face of the applicator head, defining an opening at the endface of the applicator head. The longitudinal feed channel makes itpossible to fill the applicator head, which thus serves as cosmeticproduct reserve or a capillary reservoir. In other words, applyingmember holds the cosmetic product substantially within the longitudinalfeed channel via capillary attraction. Furthermore, the cosmetic productreserve is delivered only when the end face including the opening of thelongitudinal feed channel is applied to a biological surface to betreated, for example, to surface of the nail or skin to be cared for ortreated. The dose of the cosmetic product to be delivered depends on theviscosity of the product to be delivered and on the dimensions of thelongitudinal feed channel. Thus, by altering its width, depth andlength, it is possible to deliver exactly the required dose of productdepending on its viscosity. It is to be noted that the longitudinalfeed-channel has same width throughout its length, however in alternateembodiments, the width of the longitudinal feed-channel may vary alongits length.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, thelongitudinal feed channel may or may not be concentric with the body ofthe applicator head.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, when theapplicator head is lowered into the cosmetic product contained in thereceptacle, the longitudinal feed channel becomes charged with thecosmetic product forming said capillary reservoir of the cosmeticproduct within the longitudinal feed channel of the applicator head.When the cosmetic applicator is separated from the associatedreceptacle, the longitudinal feed channel of the applicator head remainscharged with the cosmetic product.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, thelongitudinal feed channel of the applicator head extends over fiftypercent of the length of the applying member of the applicator head.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, longitudinalfeed channel of the applicator head is constructed from a thermalstorage material, such as metal, ceramic, glass, or other material whichis capable of retaining and conducting heat or cold for application to abody.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the applyingmember of the applicator head is provided with an air-vent whichcommunicates with longitudinal feed channel by intersecting thelongitudinal feed channel adjacent a proximal end of the longitudinalfeed channel. In some examples, the longitudinal feed channel has afirst diameter, and the air vent has a second diameter, the firstdiameter being greater than the second diameter. Such a difference indiameters may be useful, for example, to allow a cosmetic product toremain in the longitudinal feed channel without escaping via the airvent. The difference in diameters may further facilitate the cosmeticproduct being drawn out using the capillary action described below. Inother examples, the air vent and longitudinal feed channel have the samediameter.

According to another embodiment, the air-vent transversally intersectsthe longitudinal feed channel at a proximal portion of the longitudinalfeed channel. In alternate embodiments, the air vent may intersect thelongitudinal feed channel at right angle or any other angle. Thetransverse air-vent has two diametrically opposing openings at the atleast one curved side face of the applicator head. The air is admittedto the longitudinal feed channel and hence to the capillary reservoirformed in the longitudinal feed channel through the openings of the airvent. When the end face of the applicator head is moved over the surfaceto be treated, sufficient air is admitted to the capillary reservoirthrough the air vent and the cosmetic product is compelled to passthrough this longitudinal feed channel thereby insuring an even anduniform flow of the cosmetic product to the end face. It will thus beseen that the openings of the air vent and the longitudinal feed-channelautomatically regulate the flow of the cosmetic product to the end faceof the applicator head from the capillary reservoir, this being due tothe fact that the partial vacuum in the capillary reservoir of thelongitudinal feed channel is caused by the initial discharge of thecosmetic product which permits the air to pass through the openings ofthe air vent to said capillary reservoir.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, theapplicator head has the opening of the longitudinal feed channel at theend face of the applicator head and the opening being slanted/inclined.More particularly, the opening is a substantially oval opening. In otherwords, the opening is oriented in a plane which is oblique with respectto the central longitudinal axis of the applicator head. In variantembodiments, the opening may have any other desirable shape, circular,spatulate, obviate, elliptic, oblong, deltoid for example.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the end faceof the applicator head is inclined with respect to a centrallongitudinal axis of the applicator head and extends over at leastone-fifth of the length of the applying member of the applicator head.In another embodiment of the present disclosure, however, the end faceof the applicator head extends over at least half a length of theapplying member of the applicator head, thus providing a larger contactarea during application.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the opening ofthe longitudinal feed channel at the end face of the applicator headoccupies less than 50% of a total surface area of the end face.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the openingof the longitudinal feed channel at the end face of the applicator headoccupies more than 50% of a total surface area of the end face. In someexamples, the opening of the longitudinal feed channel at the end faceof the applicator head occupies more than 80% of a total surface area ofthe end face of the applicator head.

In some of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the at least oneside face of the applying member comprises a constricted side faceportion providing a neck like portion in the applying portion.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, at least a portion ofan outer surface of the applying member of the applicator head may beflocked.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the applicatorhead may be of any other desirable shape.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the proximal endportion of the applicator head is formed as a shank which is configuredto be received and retained within a longitudinal cavity of the stem ina mating relationship. The applicator head and the stem may be fittogether by friction fit, snap fit, by gluing, crimping, magneticengagement and any other suitable means known in the art.

In variant embodiments, outer surface of the applying member may includeprojections, ribs, grooves, discs, slits, cuts, holes, dimples, or othersurface features or surface treatments (e.g., abrading) that aresuitable for loading, transporting and applying cosmetic product.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the receptaclemay be polypropylene, while the cap and the stem may be formed ofacrylonitrile butadiene styrene or any other suitable polymericmaterial. The stem may be formed of polyacetal or any other suitablepolymeric material.

The material for forming a wiper may be low-density polyethylene, foam,sponge, sintered block, aggregate of natural or synthetic fibers, wovenor non-woven fibers, plastic, or a combination of such materials. Theaforementioned materials for forming various parts of the package of thepresent disclosure are an example, however other suitable materials mayalso be used.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become clear from the following description when thesame is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the presentdisclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description ofthe disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference toembodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a cosmetic packagecomprising a cosmetic applicator of present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of an applicator head of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the applicator head of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the applicator head of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the applicator head of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of an applicator head according to asecond embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 shows a front view of the applicator head of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the applicator head of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 shows a bottom view of the applicator head of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 shows an isometric view of an applicator head according to athird embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 shows a front view of the applicator head of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 shows a side view of the applicator head of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 13 shows a bottom view of the applicator head of FIG. 10.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have beenused, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common tothe figures. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawingsillustrate only typical embodiments of this disclosure and are thereforenot to be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admitto other equally effective embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Throughout this specification, the terms “comprise,” “comprises,”“comprising” and the like, shall consistently mean that a collection ofobjects is not limited to those objects specifically recited.

FIG. 1 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of a cosmetic package1. The cosmetic package 1 comprises a receptacle 200 for holding acosmetic product (not shown) and a cosmetic applicator 100. The cosmeticapplicator 100 comprises an applicator head 10, a stem 20 and a cap 30.The cosmetic applicator 100 according to one embodiment of thedisclosure, may be used to apply the product (not shown) including acosmetic or a care product. The cosmetic or care product includesviscous, semi-viscous or liquid cosmetics, mascara, lip gloss, haircolor, skin care, under eye cosmetics, pharmaceutical and like products.

The cap 30 of the cosmetic applicator 100 has threads 32 which can be,during period of non-use, screwed onto threads 202, formed on a neck 204of the receptacle 200.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, inserted in the neck 204 of thereceptacle 200 is a wiper 206 for wiping off excess product from theapplicator 100. The wiper 206 also comprises an annular bead 208 forengaging into a corresponding annular groove 210 on the inside of theneck 204 of the receptacle 200. In other examples, the neck 204 of thereceptacle 200 is devoid of any wiper structure. In such an example, anyexcess product may be drained as the applicator 100 is removed from thereceptacle 200. Alternatively, the applicator head 10 may be pressed orwiped against the inside surface of the neck 204 as the applicator 100is removed from the receptacle 200.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cap 30 is retained at a proximal end of the stem20 for gripping, and the applicator head 10 is retained at a distal endof the stem 20 for applying the cosmetic product. The applicator head 10in this example is constructed, at least partially, from a thermalstorage material that is capable of retaining heat or cold forapplication. The thermal storage material may comprise, for example, ametal, ceramic, glass, stone, alloy and/or other material with arelatively high thermal storage capacity and/or thermal conductivity.

According to an exemplary first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-5, theapplicator head 10 has a body comprising a proximal portion 10 a and adistal portion 10 b. In the present embodiment, the applicator head 10is substantially cylindrical in shape, in alternate embodiments, theapplicator head 10 may be of any other desirable shape.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the proximal end portion 10 a of theapplicator head 10 is formed as shank 10 a which is configured to bereceived and retained within a longitudinal cavity 22 of the stem 20 ina mating relationship (see FIG. 1).

The applicator head 10 and the stem 20 may be fit together by frictionfit, snap fit, by gluing, crimping, magnetic engagement and any othersuitable means known in the art. In an exemplary embodiment as shown inFIG. 1, the applicator head 10 and the stem 20 are fitted together byfriction fitment.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the distal portion 10 b of the applicator head10 is an applying member 10 b which includes at least one side face 12and a distal end face 14. In this example, the applicator head 10 has acurved applicator tip 16 with the end face 14 disposed at a given anglerelative to a central longitudinal axis X of the applicator head 10. Thepresence of an inclined end face 14 enables the applicator head 10 to beused with different contact areas. In particular the product can beapplied more quickly while restricting the number of applications. Inthis example, that angle is approximately 45 degrees. It will beappreciated that the angle of the end face 14 may vary within the scopeof the invention depending on, for instance, the type of cosmeticmaterial to be applied, the goals of the manufacturer and user, andother factors. As an example, a steeper angle will provide a greatersurface area and will consequently permit the retention of more cosmeticproduct. The at least one side face 12 of the applicator head 10 iscurved because of a cylindrical body of the applying member 10 b.

As can be appreciated by reference to FIG. 3, the applicator head 10comprises a longitudinal feed channel 18 disposed within the applicatorhead 10 which is concentric with the cylindrical body of the applicatorhead 10 a. A distal end of the longitudinal feed channel 18 opens to theend face 14, defining an opening 18 a at the end face 14. Thelongitudinal feed channel 18 serves as cosmetic product reserve or acapillary reservoir. In other words, the applying member 10 holds thecosmetic product substantially within the longitudinal feed channel 18via capillary attraction. Furthermore, the cosmetic product reserve isdelivered only when the end face 14 including the opening 18 a isapplied to a biological surface to be treated, for example, to surfaceof the nail or skin to be cared for or treated. The dose of the cosmeticproduct to be delivered depends on the viscosity of the product to bedelivered and on the dimensions of the longitudinal feed channel 18.Thus, by altering its width, depth and length, it is possible to deliverexactly the required dose of product depending on its viscosity. It isto be noted that the longitudinal feed-channel 18 illustrated in FIG. 3has the same width throughout its length. In alternate embodiments, thewidth of the longitudinal feed-channel 18 may vary along its length.

When the applicator head 10 is lowered into the cosmetic productcontained in the receptacle 200, the longitudinal feed channel 18becomes charged with the cosmetic product forming said capillaryreservoir of the cosmetic product within the longitudinal feed channel18 of the applicator head 10. When the cosmetic applicator 100 isseparated from the associated receptacle 200, the longitudinal feedchannel 18 of the applicator head 10 remains charged with the cosmeticproduct. Here, the longitudinal feed channel 18 is generally concentricwith the applying member 10 a of the applicator head 10, butnon-concentric dispositions are possible within the scope of thedisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3, the applicator head 10 is provided with an air-vent17 which communicates with the longitudinal channel 18 adjacent aproximal end of the longitudinal feed channel 18, i.e. air-vent 17intersects at the proximal end of the longitudinal feed channel 18. Theair-vent 17 may transversally intersect the longitudinal feed channel 18at the proximal end of the longitudinal feed channel 18, as illustratedin FIG. 3. In other embodiments, the air-vent 17 may intersect thelongitudinal feed channel 18 at a non-perpendicular angle. Thetransverse air-vent 17 has two diametrically opposing openings 17 a, 17b present at the cylindrical side face 12 of the applicator head 10. Theair is admitted to the longitudinal feed channel 18 and hence to thecapillary reservoir formed in the longitudinal feed channel 18 throughthe openings 17 a, 17 b of the longitudinal vent or passage 17. When theend face 14 of the applicator head 10 is moved over the surface to betreated, sufficient air is admitted to the capillary reservoir throughthe air vent 17 and the cosmetic product is compelled to pass throughthis longitudinal feed channel 18 thereby insuring an even and uniformflow of the cosmetic product to the end face 14.

In some examples, the longitudinal feed channel 18 has a first diameter,and the air vent has a second diameter, the first diameter being greaterthan the second diameter. Such a difference in diameters may be useful,for example, to allow a cosmetic product to remain in the longitudinalfeed channel without escaping via the air vent. The difference indiameters may further facilitate the cosmetic product being drawn outusing the capillary action described below. In other examples, the airvent and longitudinal feed channel have the same diameter.

It will thus be seen that the openings 17 a, 17 b of the air vent 17 andthe feed-channel 18 automatically regulate the flow of cosmetic productto the end face 14 of the applicator head 10 from the capillaryreservoir, this being due to the fact that the partial vacuum in thecapillary reservoir of the feed channel 18 is caused by the initialdischarge of the cosmetic product which permits the air to pass throughthe openings 17 a, 17 b to said capillary reservoir.

According to an aspect of the present embodiment, the longitudinal feedchannel 18 extends over fifty percent of the length of the applyingmember 10 b of the applicator head including the curved tip 16, see FIG.3. In other embodiments, the longitudinal feed channel 18 extends overless than fifty percent, or over the entirety of the length of theapplying member 10 b of the applicator head, including the curved tip16.

The longitudinal feed channel 18 is constructed from a thermal storagematerial, such as metal, ceramic, glass, or other material which iscapable of retaining and conducting heat or cold for application to abody.

The applicator head 10 may be designed/configured to retain cosmeticproduct not only relative to the large surface area presented by theside face 12 of the applying member 10 b, the applicator tip 16, and theend face 14, but also within the feed channel 18. With this, thecosmetic product can be successfully applied to a user's body with fewerrequired insertions of the applicator 100 into the open inner volume ofthe receptacle 200. Additionally, the surface contouring and surfacevariations provided by the cylindrical side face 12, the curvedapplicator tip 16, and the end face 14 can enable cosmetic to be appliedwith varying characteristics according to the user's goals.

According to another aspect of the present embodiment and as shown inFIGS. 2-4, the applicator head has the opening 18 a at the end face 14being slanted. More particularly, the opening 18 a is a substantiallyoval opening. In other words, the opening 18 a is oriented in a planewhich is oblique with respect to a longitudinal axis X of the applicatorhead 10. In variant embodiments, the opening 18 a may have any otherdesirable shape, spatulate, obviate, elliptic, oblong, deltoid forexample.

Referring to FIGS. 6-9, these figures show an applicator head 300according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Similar tothe applicator head 10, the applicator head 300 is also made up from athermal storage material selected from a group of a metal, ceramic,glass, stone, alloy and/or combinations thereof. The applicator head 300differs from the applicator head 10 in respect to shape of the applyingmember as explained herein. An applying member 300 b of the applicatorhead 300 includes an end face 314 and at least one curved side face 312.The end face 314 is inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis Y ofthe applicator head 300 and extends over at least half a length of theapplying member 300 b, thus providing a larger contact area duringapplication. The applying member 300 b includes a longitudinal feedchannel 318 disposed within the applicator head 300, and wherein adistal end of the longitudinal feed channel 318 opens to the end face314, defining an opening 318 a at the end face 314. The opening 318 a ofthe longitudinal feed channel 318 occupies less than 50% of a totalsurface area of the end face 314. The applying member 300 b is providedwith a transverse air-vent 317 which communicates with longitudinal feedchannel 318 adjacent a proximal end of the longitudinal feed channel318. In other embodiments, the air-vent 317 may intersect thelongitudinal feed channel 318 at a non-perpendicular angle. Thetransverse air-vent 17 has two diametrically opposing openings 317 a,317 b present at the side face 312 of the applying member 300 b.Further, the at least one curved side face 312 of the applying member300 b comprises a constricted side face portion 312 b providing a necklike appearance.

Referring to FIGS. 10-13, these views show an applicator head 400according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. Similar tothe applicator head 10, the applicator head 400 is also made up from athermal storage material selected from a group of a metal, ceramic,glass, stone, alloy and/or combinations thereof. The applicator head 400differs from the applicator head 10 in respect to shape of the applyingmember as explained herein. An applying member 400 b of the applicatorhead 400 is spheroid or ovoid in shape and includes a distal end face414 and at least one curved side face 412. The end face 414 is at anon-zero angle with respect to a central longitudinal axis Y of theapplicator head 300, more particularly the end face 414 forms 90 degreeangle with respect to the central longitudinal axis Y of the applicatorhead 400. The applying member 400 b includes a longitudinal feed channel418 disposed within the applicator head 400, and wherein a distal end ofthe longitudinal feed channel 418 opens to the end face 414, defining anopening 418 a at the end face 414. In some examples, the opening 418 aof the longitudinal feed channel 418 occupies more than 50% of a totalsurface area of the end face 414. In other examples, the opening 418 aoccupies more than 80% of the total surface area of the end face 414 asseen in the FIG. 10. The applying member 400 b is provided with atransverse air-vent 417 which communicates with the longitudinal channel418 adjacent a proximal end of the longitudinal feed channel 418. Inother embodiments, the air-vent 417 may intersect the longitudinal feedchannel 418 at a non-perpendicular angle. The transverse air-vent 417has two diametrically opposing openings 417 a, 417 b present at the sideface 412 of the applying member 400 b. The at least one side face 412 ofthe applying member 400 b comprises a constricted side face portion 412b providing a neck like appearance. Since, the opening 418 a of thelongitudinal feed channel 418 occupies more than 50% or more than 80% ofa total surface area of the end face 414, the user may use end face 414only to dispense the product out from longitudinal feed channel 418 andspread it using curved side face 412.

According to an aspect of the present embodiment, at least a portion ofan outer surface of the applicator head 10, 300, 400 may be flocked.

According to an aspect of the present embodiment, when the applicatorhead 10, 300, 400 is withdrawn from the receptacle 200, the wiper 206cleans the applicator head 10, 300, 400 in a manner such that a minimalamount of product is retained on the side face 12, 312, 412. Inembodiments in which the receptacle 200 is devoid of any wiperstructure, any excess product may be drained from the applicator head10, 300, 400 as it is withdrawn from the receptacle 200.

However, in a variant embodiment, the outer surface of the applyingmember 10 b, 300 b, 400 b may include projections, ribs, grooves, discs,slits, cuts, holes, dimples, or other surface features or surfacetreatments (e.g., abrading) that are suitable for loading, transportingand applying cosmetic product.

The receptacle may be made of, for example, be polypropylene while thecap and the stem may be formed of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or anyother suitable polymeric material. The stem may be formed of polyacetalor any other suitable polymeric material.

The material for forming the wiper, if present, may be low-densitypolyethylene, foam, sponge, sintered block, aggregate of natural orsynthetic fibers, woven or non-woven fibers, plastic, or a combinationof such materials. The aforementioned materials for forming variousparts of the package of the present disclosure are an example, howeverother suitable materials may also be used.

It will be understood that the foregoing is only illustrative of theprinciples of the disclosure, and that various modifications can be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spiritof the disclosure. For example, the shapes and/or sizes of variouscomponents can be different from the shapes and sizes shown herein. Asanother example, the materials used for various components can bedifferent from those mentioned specifically herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cosmetic applicator for applying a product to asurface, comprising: a stem having a proximal end and a distal end; andan applicator head connected to the distal end of the stem, a distalportion of the applicator head is formed as an applying member having atleast one side face and a distal end face; the applicator head beingconstructed at least partially from a thermal storage material; whereinthe applicator head defines: a channel extending longitudinally withinthe applicator head and having a distal end defining an opening in thedistal end face of the applicator head; and an air vent extending fromthe side face of the applicator head to the channel.
 2. The cosmeticapplicator of claim 1, wherein the thermal storage material is ceramic,glass, stone, metal, or a metal alloy.
 3. The cosmetic applicator ofclaim 1, wherein the channel has a closed proximal end within theapplicator head.
 4. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1, wherein theapplicator head has a length and the channel extends over fifty percentof a length of the applying member of the applicator head.
 5. Thecosmetic applicator of claim 1, wherein the air vent extendstransversely through the applicator head between opposing sides, the airvent intersecting the channel.
 6. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1,wherein the air vent intersects the channel adjacent a proximal end ofthe channel.
 7. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1, wherein the channelhas a constant width along its length.
 8. The cosmetic applicator ofclaim 1, wherein the distal end face of the applicator head is angledrelative to a longitudinal axis of the applicator head.
 9. The cosmeticapplicator of claim 1, wherein the opening of the channel occupies lessthan fifty percent of a total surface area of the distal end face. 10.The cosmetic applicator of claim 1 wherein the channel has a firstdiameter, and the air vent has a second diameter, and the first diameteris greater than the second diameter.
 11. The cosmetic applicator ofclaim 1, further comprising a cap connected to the proximal end of thestem.
 12. A cosmetic package, comprising: a cosmetic applicator as inclaim 11, and a receptacle for holding a cosmetic product, wherein thestem and applicator head are configured to be inserted into thereceptacle and the cap is configured to releasably connect with an openend of the receptacle.
 13. The cosmetic package of claim 12, furthercomprising a wiper disposed in a neck of the receptacle adjacent theopen end, the wiper configured for wiping excess product from theapplicator head while the applicator head is removed from thereceptacle.
 14. The cosmetic package of claim 12, wherein the receptaclelacks a wiper at the open end thereof.
 15. A cosmetic package: areceptacle for holding a cosmetic product, the receptacle having aclosed distal end and an open proximal end; an applicator configured toextend into the receptacle, the applicator including a stem having aproximal end and a distal end, an applicator head connected to thedistal end of the stem, a distal portion of the applicator head isformed as an applying member having at least one side face and a distalend face, the applicator head defining a channel extendinglongitudinally within the applicator head and having a distal enddefining an opening in the distal end face of the applicator head and anair vent extending from the side face of the applicator head to thechannel, the applicator head being constructed at least partially from athermal storage material; and a cap connected to the proximal end of thestem, the cap configured to releasably connect with the open proximalend of the receptacle.
 16. The cosmetic package of claim 15, wherein thethermal storage material is ceramic, glass, stone, metal, or a metalalloy.
 17. The cosmetic package of claim 15, wherein the channel has afirst diameter, and the air vent has a second diameter, and the firstdiameter is greater than the second diameter.
 18. The cosmetic packageof claim 15, wherein the air vent extends transversely through theapplicator head between opposing sides, the air vent intersecting thechannel.
 19. The cosmetic package of claim 15, wherein the air ventintersects the channel adjacent a proximal end of the channel.
 20. Acosmetic applicator for applying a product to a surface, comprising: astem having a proximal end and a distal end; an applicator headconnected to the distal end of the stem, a distal portion of theapplicator head is formed as an applying member having at least one sideface and a distal end face; a channel extending longitudinally withinthe applicator head and having a distal end defining an opening in thedistal end face of the applicator head and a proximal end which isclosed within the applicator head; and an air vent extending from theside face of the applicator head to the channel.